Review and Learning of the ‘’Power to Choose-SRHR’’ Project

Terms of References

 Review and Learning of the ‘’Power to Choose-SRHR’’ Project

January 2023-February 2023

Background

Oxfam in Lebanon and Marsa are implementing a 5-year, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded project entitled “Power to Choose – Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) for Young Women and Adolescent Girls”. Overall, the project aims to increase the enjoyment of health-related human rights by the most marginalized and vulnerable women and adolescent girls in the northern city of Tripoli. This goal will be achieved through (1) Increased agency of young women and adolescent girls contributing to their equitable use of sexual and reproductive health services, (2) improved provision of gender-responsive, inclusive and accountable sexual and reproductive health services by health care providers for diverse groups of young women and adolescent girls, and (3) improved effectiveness of key stakeholders, particularly women and youth organizations or movements, to advocate for evidence-based health care policies, accountable legal framework, and equitable and inclusive services. In 2022, Oxfam, alongside its partners, embarked on a pilot project aimed at delivering Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services to a cohort of 82 young women and men. Additionally, Oxfam and its partners initiated an educational initiative focused on various facets of SRHR, with the target audience being volunteers and staff. Also, Oxfam is presently carrying out initiatives focused on young women and girls to enhance advocacy capacities related to SRHR. In addition, Oxfam continues to establish ways of working with healthcare service providers. However, the Oxfam and partners' team stationed in Tripoli encountered a series of challenges and risks during the course of project implementation. These obstacles prompted the temporary suspension of some project activities. These challenges primarily revolved around opposition and resistance from various community groups and individuals, resulting in backlashes against existing partners and activities. In response to these complex challenges and concerns, Oxfam and its partner organizations are working to forge new strategies, implement effective mitigation plans, and define the optimal approaches required to conclude necessary adaptability measures.

Purpose and Objectives

Given the aforementioned challenges the project is facing, Oxfam is aiming to hire a consultant to design and deliver a Learning and Review process. The goal is to produce insightful lessons to address gaps and guide the development and adaptation of approaches to be adopted during the project’s implementation phase. In addition, the process should explore shortcomings, challenges and contextual factors that could impact the implementation of the project and the achievement of its objectives. This will happen through reviewing the project programming and informing learning for improvement.

The learning and review process, covering the project implementation from January 1, 2022, to September 2023, aims to comprehensively assess the "Power to Choose" project's implementation and chart a course for its future. This endeavour is structured around the following key objectives:

1. Reflective Evaluation of Program Approach:

Objective: The first objective involves a reflective evaluation of the project's design and its progress in achieving desired outcomes. This evaluation will be conducted through consultations with relevant stakeholders, including participants and beneficiaries, as well as Oxfam and partner staff.

This step provides a critical examination of the project's initial approach and how it has evolved, in addition to receiving insight from relevant stakeholders on the different challenges faced throughout the implementation. This step offers a comprehensive understanding of whether the project is on the right track and identifies areas that require adjustments for improved outcomes.

2. Learning for Adaptive Management:

Objective: The process seeks to extract valuable lessons learned and recommendations to guide planning, target setting, and strategic decisions for the remainder of the project's implementation period. This process will assess the project's achievements, both in terms of outcomes and outputs, while considering the broader contextual shifts that the project has navigated.

By examining the project's achievements and understanding the evolving context, this objective equips Oxfam and partners with the insights needed to adapt and fine-tune their approach for maximum impact.

3. Actionable Recommendations:

Objective: The review and learning process aims to produce actionable recommendations that can be swiftly integrated into project planning and execution. These recommendations are rooted in the lessons learned during the review process.

The actionable recommendations provide a roadmap for concrete, practical steps to enhance the project's effectiveness and relevance.

4. Decision-Making Support in Programming:

Objective: This objective involves the planning and execution of a workshop, conducted in collaboration with Oxfam's team. The workshop will facilitate constructive discussions among various stakeholders, enabling the formulation of informed decisions regarding project activities, outputs, outcomes, targets, and overall approach for the upcoming project implementation phase.

The workshop fosters collective decision-making, drawing on the expertise and perspectives of diverse stakeholders. It ensures that the project's next steps are well-informed and align with the shared vision of project success.

• • This structured approach to learning and review serves to not only to assess the project's progress but also to provide actionable insights and promote collaborative decision-making. It positions the "Power to Choose" project on the path for continued success and adaptability in its mission.

Methodological approach

With guidance from Oxfam, the consultant will design and implement The Learning and Review process and its associated methodology while focussing on the following streams:

1. Learning about partnership collaboration/efforts: what aspects of partnership efforts can be improved or adjusted? What approaches could be used to improve partnerships? What strategic decisions should be taken to improve partnership efforts?
2. Learning related to programming: Are project’s objectives relevant to the partner’s capacities and context in Tripoli? Are the interventions under the project aligned with the project’s objectives and context in Tripoli?
3. Learning related to resource efficiency: Through assessing the efficiency in use of resources (budget, Human and material resources): Are the resources under the project being utilized efficiently and effectively by Oxfam and partners?
4. Learning related to approaches utilized: Are the right approaches being utilized by Oxfam and partners in each of the activities implemented throughout the timeline of the project according to the current context in Tripoli? Are the outreach and community-based approaches applied according to the context in the country, specifically Tripoli?

Expected Deliverables

The consultant is expected to provide the following deliverables:

• A Written methodological approach;
• Data collection/Facilitation tools
• Actors’ engagement Workshop’s facilitation tools
• Cleaned database (qualitative, quantitative)
• Report with findings and recommendations (including consolidation/synthesis of the results from different sources)
• Final revised report - number of revisions depend on the quality of the submitted document
• Power Point Presentation of the findings
• Validation and actors’ engagement Workshop delivery
• Workshop report with findings, recommendations, action points and strategic decisions captured throughout the discussions during the event

The review and learning report (10-15 pages) must be comprised of the following sections:

• Executive summary
• Introduction
• Methodology:
  • How the data was collected, analysed, and validated (design study, sampling, protocols for data collection, criteria for disaggregation)
  • Including challenges and limitations that must be considered to understand and interpret findings

• Key findings:

• Critical analysis of the collected data through statistical treatment
• Outstanding recommendations emerging from the analysis
  • Including recommendation(s)of modifications of the logic model and PMF
  • Including recommendation(s) of modifications of the outcomes and outputs
  • Including recommendation(s) on the target group to be involved towards the remaining implementation of the project
  • Including new or emerging learning questions that should be taken forward
  • Including recommendations on how to monitor and assess progress towards the remaining implementation of ‘’Power to Choose’’

• Annexes:
  • A copy of all tools, surveys and questionnaires used for data collection (qualitative or quantitative)
  • Data sets (original and cleaned) including any field notes

Timeline

The total number of working days allocated for this consultancy is set at 20 days that extends between January 8^th 2023 and February 8^th 2024 as per the below preliminary timeline.

Activity

Expected number of days

Development and validation of methodology and tools

4

Consultations/Data collection

3

Data management and sensemaking

3

Substantiation and Validation of preliminary findings and analysis

2

First Draft report write-up

3

Validation and actors’ engagement Workshop (Planning & delivery)

2

Final draft-report write up

3

Total Number of Days

20

Qualifications of the consultants/consultancy firm

This consultancy should be led by a person (or team) with:

• Prior experience working on research specific to SRHR
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in conducting quantitative and qualitative research
• Knowledge of gender-sensitive and feminist approaches
• Exposure to principles of partnering and local leadership
• Excellent communications skills in English, including advanced writing skills
• Strong communication skills in Arabic are preferred
• Availability to start immediately
• Familiarity with Oxfam’s work or other international NGOs will be an advantage

Expression of Interest (EOI)

Interested consultants should submit their:

• CVs of consultants and/or role of each consultant recruited under the scope of this assignment for firms;
• A technical proposal which includes a detailed methodology and a workplan for the assignment;
• A financial proposal detailing all costs associated with the assignment;
• 2-3 samples of similar work previously done;

• Registration and official government documents, if applicable. Noting that 7.5% will be deducted from the total amount if not registered.

Oxfam International in Lebanon reserves the right to reject any and all bids, including the Bidding processes, or not to award the contract at any time, without thereby incurring and liability to the affected Bidders.

Please submit the full application documents (as mentioned above) to [email protected] by December 20^th, 2023 midnight mentioning “Power to Choose Midterm Review’’ in the Subject line.